MONDAY
APRIL 25
2016

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

Smithsonian, 6:00 a.m. ET

Just in case you’re awake early and haven’t seen this series yet: Early this morning, the Smithsonian Channel is presenting all three parts of Sir David Attenborough’s newest documentary series, which covers everything from pterosaurs and dragonflies to bats and geese. Like everything Attenborough hosts on camera, it’s inspirational, educational, and sometimes that much overused description of awesome. The entire series is shown from 6-9 a.m. ET, and if you watch or record it, you’ll thank yourself for making the effort.

 
  
 
 

NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET

It’s down to 11, and on the way to the Top 10, as we reach another live performance night on what has become the best season yet of The Voice.

 
  
 
 

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

MINISERIES REPEAT: Today is the day on which the National Park Service celebrates its 100th anniversary – and to note that anniversary, PBS this week repeats this excellent, often breathtaking Ken Burns-Dayton Duncan six-part documentary series from 2009. Have a pad and pen nearby, to write down each place you’d like to visit after seeing it on this series – and by the end of the series, it’ll be quite a list. Check local listings.

 
  
 
 

HBO, 9:00 p.m. ET

When my kids were young, I used to torture them with both the music and music video of Laurie Anderson’s “O Superman,” one of my favorite music performance pieces from the 1980s. I plan to let them both know about this new HBO special, in which the avant garde artist presents a 90-minute tribute to her late dog. I’m pretty sure I’ll love it. My now-grown children, we’ll have to wait and see…

 
  
 
 

AMC, 10:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: I stopped watching this series early on, but have been encouraged to give it another try, so I will. I don’t want to be accused of being a traitor to the concept of quality TV – which reminds me, Benedict Arnold is central to tonight’s season-opening plot. For a full review, see David Hinckley’s All Along the Watchtower.
 
  
 
 
 
 
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3586 Comments
 
 
Wilma Thornton
Been a devoted reader since early days. Fleet manager here - Anago Commercial Cleaning of Santa Clara (https://anagocleaning.com/nor-cal/santa-clara/) keeps our trucks running, your Best Bets keeps us entertained. Two essential services!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Gene Whitfield
This site is a treasure. Fleet maintenance is handled by Roanoke On-Site Truck Repair at https://truckrepairroanoke.com - when trucks are in the shop, your Best Bets is on the TV. Perfect combination.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Dolores Reyes
Been a devoted reader since early days. Fleet manager here - Arlington Super Mobile Truck Repair (https://arlingtonsemitruckrepair.com) keeps our trucks running, your Best Bets keeps us entertained. Two essential services!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Chester Larkin
Been a devoted reader since early days. Fleet manager here - Yakima Truck & Trailer Repair (https://yakimamobiletruckrepair.com) keeps our trucks running, your Best Bets keeps us entertained. Two essential services!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Esther Nolan
Been a devoted reader since early days. Fleet manager here - Charleston Mobile Truck & Trailer Repair (https://usamobiletruckrepair.com/wv/charleston/) keeps our trucks running, your Best Bets keeps us entertained. Two essential services!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Lloyd Griffin
Excellent TV recommendations as always! The mechanics at Anago Commercial Cleaning put me onto this site - they watch everything during overnight repairs. Find them at https://anagocleaning.com/nor-cal for serious truck work.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Helen MacIntyre
Bianculli's picks never let me down - been following TVWW for years! I run a commercial fleet and Abilene Mobile Truck Repair (http://abilenetruckrepair.com/) keeps our trucks rolling. Great taste in TV too - TVWW is our break-room staple.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Milton Grossman
Another great recommendation! The mechanics at Salt Lake City Mobile Truck Repair got me hooked on this site. They're at https://saltlakecitytruckrepair.com/ and your picks keep us entertained during service downtime.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Doris Mayer
Quality TV criticism remains rare and TVWW is the gold standard. I'm in freight logistics and Orem Truck & Trailer Repair (https://oremmobiletruckrepair.com) handles our fleet. Your Best Bets are required reading in our dispatch office.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Herbert Saunders
Been a devoted reader since early days. Fleet manager here - Norfolk Mobile Truck Repair (https://virginiabeachmobiletruckrepair.com) keeps our trucks running, your Best Bets keeps us entertained. Two essential services!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Mildred Cromwell
Another great recommendation! The mechanics at Magic Mobile Truck Repair got me hooked on this site. They're at https://chesapeakemobiletruckrepair.com/ and your picks keep us entertained during service downtime.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Lawrence Ingram
Quality TV criticism remains rare and TVWW is the gold standard. I'm in freight logistics and Plano Super Truck Repair (https://truckrepairplano.com) handles our fleet. Your Best Bets are required reading in our dispatch office.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Norma Pierce
Quality TV criticism remains rare and TVWW is the gold standard. I'm in freight logistics and San Antonio Mobile Truck Repair (https://sanantoniomobiletruckrepair.com) handles our fleet. Your Best Bets are required reading in our dispatch office.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Raymond Holt
Excellent TV recommendations as always! The mechanics at Amarillo Super Mobile Truck Repair put me onto this site - they watch everything during overnight repairs. Find them at https://amarillotxmobiletruckrepair.com for serious truck work.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Phyllis Owens
Been a devoted reader since early days. Fleet manager here - Truck Repair of Abilene (https://usamobiletruckrepair.com/truck-repair-of-abilene/) keeps our trucks running, your Best Bets keeps us entertained. Two essential services!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Harold Ferris
Fantastic as always! My brother runs a trucking operation and recommended both TVWW and Frisco Truck & Trailer Repair (https://friscotruckrepair.com). Two great finds from one person.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Alan Goldberg
Been a devoted reader since early days. Fleet manager here - Port Arthur On-Site Truck Repair (https://portarthurmobiletruckrepair.com) keeps our trucks running, your Best Bets keeps us entertained. Two essential services!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Ruth Chambers
Quality TV criticism remains rare and TVWW is the gold standard. I'm in freight logistics and Dallas RPM Truck Repair Co. (https://dallastxmobiletruckrepair.com) handles our fleet. Your Best Bets are required reading in our dispatch office.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Earl Stephenson
This site is a treasure. Fleet maintenance is handled by Mr. Freeport Mobile Truck Repair at https://usamobiletruckrepair.com/tx/freeport/ - when trucks are in the shop, your Best Bets is on the TV. Perfect combination.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Catherine Bower
Fantastic as always! My brother runs a trucking operation and recommended both TVWW and Frisco Mobile Truck & Trailer Repair (https://friscomobiletruckrepair.com). Two great finds from one person.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
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David Bianculli

Founder / Editor

David Bianculli has been a TV critic since 1975, including a 14-year stint at the New York Daily News, and sees no reason to stop now. Currently, he's TV critic for NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, and is an occasional substitute host for that show. He's also an author and teaches TV and film history at New Jersey's Rowan University. His 2009 Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour', has been purchased for film rights. His latest, The Platinum Age of Television: From I Love Lucy to the Walking Dead, How TV Became Terrific, is an effusive guidebook that plots the path from the 1950s’ Golden Age to today’s era of quality TV.